{"id":566066,"date":"2020-09-16T11:19:56","date_gmt":"2020-09-16T15:19:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=566066"},"modified":"2026-01-30T16:38:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T21:38:08","slug":"sheffield-united-boss-chris-wilder-admits-interest-in-arsenals-folarin-balogun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/09\/16\/sheffield-united-boss-chris-wilder-admits-interest-in-arsenals-folarin-balogun\/","title":{"rendered":"Sheffield United Boss Chris Wilder Admits Interest in Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun"},"content":{"rendered":"

After reports linked Sheffield United<\/a> with a move for Arsenal’s<\/a> Folarin Balogun,<\/a> boss Chris Wilder has himself admitted<\/a> that they have enquired about the striker.<\/p>\n

Sheffield United Interested in Folarin Balogun<\/h2>\n

Hefty Valuation on the Striker’s Head<\/h3>\n

Although Balogun wasn’t actually mentioned by name by Chris Wilder, it’s clear that the 19-year old is the player he is talking about with various outlets all reporting<\/a> on the club’s interest in the youngster.<\/p>\n

The forward has yet to make an actual first-team appearance for the Gunners but he is very highly rated at the Emirates Stadium, hence the rather large asking price of \u00a310 million for his services.<\/p>\n

Regular Starter for Arsenal U23s and U18s<\/h3>\n

This is likely down to his performances for the club’s U23 side. In the Premier Division 2 (Reserve League), he has been one of the most clinical players for Arsenal.<\/p>\n

He has 17 goal contributions in 31 games for the U23s, which is no mean feat. Add in the fact that he had a further 46 goal contributions in just 41 games for the U18s and it proves just how clinical the young striker can be.<\/p>\n

These showings also lead to appearances for both England and USA’s Under-18 teams.<\/p>\n

Brentford Were Previously Interested in Balogun<\/h3>\n

Sheffield United<\/a> aren’t the only team to have registered a keen interest in Balogun. Back in January, as Brentford were on the lookout for players to give them a final push towards Championship promotion, and they looked to the striker as a potential recruit.<\/p>\n

However, after lodging a bid for the forward, they were put off by Arsenal’s then \u00a38 million asking price<\/a> and the deal collapsed.<\/p>\n

With the player in the final year of his contract, though – and with no offer of first-team football on the table yet with the Gunners – he could be sold off this summer rather than letting him leave for nothing next summer.<\/p>\n

Wilder: ‘It’s Left With the CEO’<\/h3>\n

With these reports now emerging of a deal to take him to the Blades, boss Chris Wilder was asked about a potential deal this morning and confirmed that there has been an enquiry made.<\/a><\/p>\n

He said:\u00a0“We made an enquiry regarding the young man at Arsenal.<\/p>\n

“That\u2019s left with the CEO at our football club and at Arsenal. We want attributes at the top of the pitch that move us forward.”<\/p>\n

If they can seal a deal for Balogun, then Sheffield United will finally have the extra options they want to help bolster their strike force and help them establish themselves as a proven Premier League club this season.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>